Industry Lecture: Zero Point Four

How U.S. Leadership in Maritime Will Secure America’s Future

Rear Admiral James Watson (USCG, Ret.) will be sharing insight on “ZERO POINT FOUR,” a book he spearheaded with support from other maritime, ocean, and security experts. The book explores how the U.S. – a maritime nation – finds itself on a cliff. After WWII, over half the world’s ocean-going commercial ships flew the U.S. flag. Today, it is less than 0.4%. This researched work scrutinizes the U.S. maritime industry’s significance to America through five ‘Principles:’ National, Economic, Energy and Food, Climate, and Workforce Security. As the world grapples with uncertainty – pandemics, conflicts, and climate crises – America’s reliance on a robust maritime sector has never been more crucial. “ZERO POINT FOUR” is a roadmap to a more secure, preeminent, and viable United States.

The lecture will be followed by a reception sponsored by Maine Maritime Academy.  

About the Speaker

Rear Admiral James Watson (USCG, Ret.) is currently an independent consultant providing business development services to maritime clients. He held the position of Senior VP of American Bureau of Shipping Global Government Services, where he was responsible for ABS’s government market sector. Prior to this, Watson was President and COO of ABS Americas, where he was responsible for all ABS operations in the Western Hemisphere.

Before ABS, Watson served as the Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Interior. In this role, he provided regulatory oversight for energy exploration and production on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. Watson also served as the U.S. Coast Guard Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship, where his responsibilities included commercial vessel safety and security, ports and cargo safety, and security and maritime investigations. He was designated as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the government-wide response to the Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico.

RADM Watson earned a B.S. in Marine Engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1978. He received his M.S. in Naval Architecture and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1985. Watson earned an additional M.S. in Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in 2001.

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